Warren Vaughn frowned and folded his arms across his chest. The chauffeur of his limousine braked slightly on a curve, then picked up speed again.
The danger was wriggling very close. Serious danger. But the financier could not see where it was coming from. From this guy, Ruell? The detectives had said he was neutralized, and the banker had no reason not to trust their word. Inspector Herrmann is a meticulous policeman, but he is also no more than a small-time clerk. This fellow, Burns, came in yesterday. Or was it the lawyer?
- We're coming up, Mr. Vaughn, the chauffeur said.
- All right, Bill, the banker nodded.
He could have gone to the police station with Herrmann or the detectives, but he didn't. Warren Vaughn must get out in front of the reporters from a long black limousine. It looks solid and inspires respect. There are a number of strong associations that go with the notion of cheap murder.
That is why he was late.
But Wade had to make it. The banker had called him from his home, and the Vaughn Bank headquarters was much closer to the police station than the millionaire's mansion. Warren Vaughn loved his son. Probably because Wade looked like him.
The cell phone squealed and beeped in the financier's inside pocket, like a disgruntled little creature. Vaughn grimaced - the last thing he wanted to discuss right now was business. Wade was out of the office, and there was no way a couple of minutes could go by without one of Vaughn's.
The banker's hand reached into his inside pocket. It could be the reporters - we should talk to them. If you don't meet the press with an open mind, they'll tear you to pieces, like a pack of vultures.
- I'll park the car here, sir, the chauffeur said.
- Yes, Bill, the banker answered, flipping open the intercom.
- Warren Vaughn. I'm glad I caught you, the car rocked slightly as Bill carefully parked it on the curb. The streets of L.A. aren't big enough for limos.
A sharp lightning bolt struck Warren Vaughn in the head. He leaned back and took a deep breath. Now he knew from where trouble was looking at him.
- I see you recognized my voice, Mr. Vaughn, the interlocutor was polite, people always get suave when they get power over their enemies. - I think you remember our last conversation.
- I told you to go to hell, the banker said sharply. Bill turned around in bewilderment, but immediately began to look ahead again. You should never interfere in the affairs of those who pay you for they may as well stop doing it.
- And that's where I'm sending you now, Warren Vaughn felt much more confident now. He was no longer fighting blindly. And what could this man do to him?
- Don't hang up, Mr. Vaughn, the voice on the other end was still calm. I want to make sure you know what we're talking about.
The banker's firm, dry fingers gripped the telephone.
No, he won't disconnect the line. Talk, talk, you, scoundrel, and more I’ll know about you and your plans. Talk.
The limo was not far from the police station. Warren Vaughn was more comfortable in the seat, and he was even more relaxed now. A small crowd had gathered across the street.
- I strongly deny any involvement of my cousin in this brutal murder, Wade said firmly, the sun glinting through the round lenses of his glasses. He wasn't very tall, so he climbed the concrete bollard that adorned the entrance to some store beforehand. The owner of the latter was hovering behind him, trying to get into the frame. The journalists surrounded Wade from below like admirers at a monument to a great hero. A few of them ran back, taking pictures of Warren Vaughn's limousine, but soon returned as the banker made no attempt to get out. Rowan Vaughn is a bright, hard-working young man, Wade continued. Most of you have seen him, many of you know him personally. Of course it was easy for Wade to compose precise, rounded phrases, which he threw into the crowd of journalists with a confident look. He towered over them, and his father could see his long, wavy hair.
- The Vaughn family has been respected in this city for a long time, several dozen tape recorders caught his words. And well deserved. The family name has been a symbol for a very long time...
The first bullet hit his right shoulder. Wade stepped back slightly, and his eyes turned in surprise to the bloody rose spreading its petals on his jacket. The reporters scurried to his feet, like bustling ants building their anthills.
Wade stepped back and lost his balance. A second bullet went through his left arm and grazed the pavement.
Vaughn family has become a symbol of high morals and Wade Vaughn's body tilted, bright sunlight hitting him sharply in the eyes.
"Great words for a death speech," he thought.
When he collapsed heavily on the pavement, there were no reporters around. The fat shopkeeper clumsily picked up the banker's body and, panting heavily, dragged him inside the building.
But no more shots were fired.
- That was a warning, Mr. Vaughn, the man's voice was still calm. He had made his decision, and now he was simply carrying it out.
- Just a warning. Next time I'll shoot to kill. I hope you don't think I'll miss.
The people in blue uniforms would run out of the station and start to look up at the sky. They must be police officers, Wade thought.
30
- The shots were fired from a sniper rifle from one of the rooftops across the street, I sank tiredly into my chair. Naturally, while the police rushed to start their search, the shooter might have flown off to Calcutta a couple of times. And that's an assassination attempt right next to the police station! And our valiant policemen managed to be late after all. But these guys in uniform are never late for their paychecks.
Heidi kicked off her shoes and stretched out on the sofa in front of me.
- If you could catch up with this guy, it would be a well spent day, she said dreamily.
- Yeah, I should have chased him across the rooftops, and then sprinted across the boulevard. Why didn't I think of that at once? What did the deputy prosecutor say?
Heidi shrugged her shoulders.
- The hearing is today at five o'clock, she said.
- Would you like some iced tea, Miss Moss?
I turned around and looked at Luisa with a frown. She could have offered me one.
- It's a little late for a bail hearing, I muttered. If you're interested, Luisa, I don't want.
- I know, Mr. Hammond, that's why I didn't ask," Luisa chirped cheerfully and hurried out of the room.
- The judge is too busy, he has several sessions today, Heidi straightened up and put on her shoes. -How could Herrmann have gotten these witnesses? Thank you, Luisa.
She took the glass from the secretary's hands and sipped it thoughtfully.
- If I didn't know Patricia Ogden was so damn careful, I'd have bet a penny that she bribed that couple, I said.
- After all, they're lying. By the way, since when did he start calling you Heidi ?
- Who? Heidi's gray eyes were filled with bewilderment. But I knew she was faking it.
- It couldn't have been Alison Vaughn, I loosened the tie that was starting to squeeze me. She wouldn't have done anything without contacting Ruell. After all, she trusts him for now.
- And if she doesn't?
I waved him off.
- Come on, Heidi, she was ready to go to the guillotine last night if he'd guard the lever. And Herrmann rolled the ballista into Vaughn's early this morning. It takes time to bribe witnesses.
- And you believe Alison still trusts Craig? Heidi arched one eyebrow. I can raise an eyebrow, too, but I can't curve one. Do you believe that only men can use women?
That was over the top. After the expertly staged scene with Warren Vaughn and the cute flirt with his nephew, it was too much. At least for me. But I should have proceeded with caution.
- This sniper is completely confusing the course of our thinking, I got up from my chair and stretched. I'm afraid we're even further away from getting the fee than we were a few days ago.
- And Rowan Vaughn is much closer to b
eing charged with second-degree murder, Heidi finished her tea and set her glass on the floor. I hope I can get him out of jail on bail, but we'll have to do something in a hurry.
- Ruell and the gardener's testimony against Herrmann's two witnesses that's a bad deal, I nodded, heading for the desk. Especially since they're all fake, are you going to look at the precedents right now?
She nodded. I took a few more steps, turned around, and my right hand caught the pillow next to her as if by mistake. It was time to teach the rebel a lesson. With a quick movement I covered Heidi's face with the pillow, leaned over her and began to tickle her. She shrieked and began to fight back with her hands, but I was at her side and behind her, so it was easy for me to dodge.
- Boo-boo-boo, she said grudgingly.
- I hope this is comfortable for you, Heidi . I said kindly.
She arched a few times and tried to slip out from under the pillow.
I was contemplating which part of her I could grab, when a slightly embarrassed voice said:
- Your secretary said you were in the library.
- Did she, Mr. Vaughn? I straightened up and let go of the pillow, and sent our client my biggest smile of the day. We're right here.
- I don't mean to disturb you, the banker took a few steps, but I'm in a hurry.
- We understand, Mr. Vaughn, Heidi smoothly stood up and straightened her clothes, - that what has happened paints a very negative picture of our achievements.
- I never felt more of a fool than when the inspector entered the room, I gestured to the banker to sit down. Except a minute ago.
-We'll understand, Mr. Vaughn, if you will refuse our services, Heidi's fingers ran quickly through her hair. But whether you pay us a fee or not, we intend to see this matter through.
The banker looked at us in confusion.
- You needn't make excuses at all, he said. Yes, a terrible thing has happened this morning, but it can't be your fault.
- We didn't ask you about your son, I sank back into the chair. How is he?
- His life is fortunately not in danger at the moment, the banker answered.
- But the wounds are rather serious. He's in the hospital now, and I've had a guard put up there.
As soon as Wade Vaughn has recovered from his injuries, he will begin to play the role of the hero. And who can blame him for that?
- We're very glad to hear that, Heidi was now sitting in front of the financier with the look of a girl who'd just graduated from a convent school. I thought that this, in fact, was the limit of our involvement in Wade's fate.
- I wanted to tell you how grateful I am for your work, the banker pressed his lips together. You did a great job.
I looked at my partner in confusion. A son in the hospital, a nephew behind bars - was that what he expected us to do?
- I know what you're thinking, the banker grinned. But you mustn't forget that what happened this morning had nothing to do with the case for which I have asked for your help. He spread his hands apart and put his fingertips back together. I wanted you to stop this outrageous blackmail my nephew had been subjected to. You had to find out who was behind it and stop him. And you did.
- But, Mr. Vaughn, I began.
- As to what happened this morning that's a different story, the banker went on. I told the police about that Burns fellow coming in yesterday.
- The one who threatened you? Heidi asked.
- Yes, he had something to do with the killed girl, and he blames it on my family. When Harrison threw him out, Burns threatened to punish me in his own way. I don't think there's even anything to investigate.
- You realize you need 24-hour security, Mr. Vaughn? I asked, and this time my concern wasn't far-fetched. - You and all your family members.
- I know, Mr. Hammond, the financier replied. I've already contacted a well-known security agency, so you don't have to worry about it.
- Did the policeman tell you anything about Danby? Heidi asked. Where was he at the time of the attempt on your son's life?
Warren Vaughn pursed his lips.
- As soon as I said his name, the inspector who came to my house this morning sent for him. But his apartment was empty, and nobody knows where he is. I think he's hiding somewhere.
- Do you want us to find him? I knew what the answer would be when I asked that question.
- That won't be necessary, the financier shook his head. The police are all over him right now. I don't think he'll be able to hide for long - he's not a professional criminal. And that's why, he put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a checkbook, I think it's time to pay your fee.
- Your nephew is in prison, Mr. Vaughn, Heidi said.
- I know. My lawyers are already on it. But I wouldn't want you to get any further involved in the case. You know there may be unnecessary details about that photographic film and the gardener's broken arm and all that unnecessary details, he grudgingly grimaced, as if to ward off an annoying inspector. The prosecution's position in this case is very shaky. They haven't got any hard evidence. I don't think there'll be any difficulty. His teeth bared in a friendly smile. I want to thank you again for your help.
The slim little letters flowed smoothly onto the narrow strip of paper.
Warren Vaughn was filling out the check.
To be continued
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